Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters is stepping
down after nearly four years as the nation's top highway official to
return home to be with family in Phoenix.

Peters informed U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman
Y. Mineta last night and shared the news with her senior staff this
morning.

During her FHWA tenure, Peters moved the agency toward
finding new and more effective methods of investing in highway and bridge
projects, primarily through greater private sector investment. She encouraged
the use of new technologies that reduce construction time and expense
and result in safer, longer-lasting highways, led a national campaign
to improve safety in highway work zones and worked to streamline the
decision-making process for major transportation projects.

"Mary has left a lasting impression on the history
of surface transportation," Mineta said. "She has made us
all think about the future of surface transportation in ways we might
not have otherwise."

Peters was director of the Arizona Department of Transportation
when nominated by President Bush four years ago. She was sworn in as
the 15th Federal Highway Administrator on Oct. 2, 2001. She received
the 2004 National Woman of the Year Award from the Women's Transportation
Seminar, a national organization of transportation professionals. She
is a fourth-generation Arizonan with a bachelor's degree from the University
of Phoenix.

FHWA Deputy Administrator Rick Capka will serve as Acting
Administrator when Peters departs at the end of July.